Order of Business: Cyclists, Dress for Success

I support the amendment proposed by my colleague, Senator Ó Ríordáin, to substitute a debate on crime for one hour of the debate on the Judicial Appointments Commission Bill. I also support Senator Leyden's amendment, which would substitute a debate on the important issue of Cuisle for the other hour and a half of debate on the Judicial Appointments Commission Bill. Both are hugely important issues and are far more urgent than the ongoing debate on Report Stage of the Bill. My group and I will certainly support both amendments. I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach for his excellent-----

I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach for his clarification of the issue. I also support what Senator Ardagh said in respect of cycling. As somebody who cycled in today and yesterday and who cycles regularly or every day, the roads were very clear because of the farmers' protests.

We do, however, need to make more provision for cyclists, as I said in my contribution on the Finance Bill 2019 last night. I commend Senator Hackett on her excellent speech in response to the farmers' protest. I understand it is in the process of being resolved, which is welcome because the farmers' group is raising serious issues. Senator Hackett is correct when she speaks about the future of sustainable farming in Ireland. I spoke about an excellent model during the Finance Bill debate last night, that of the Burren Beo Trust and the work being done in the Burren by Mr. Brendan Dunford and his colleagues on sustainable farming. That is the future.

I commend the Dress for Success organisation and the organisers of the great conference being held today. I had the pleasure of attending this morning where An Taoiseach announced that the Citizens' Assembly on Gender Equality will have its inaugural meeting on 25 January 2020 when it will look at issues around the serious and ongoing gender pay gap between women and men and issues in respect of ensuring women's equal participation in the workforce. The conference will be hearing about the importance of childcare, expanded parental and paternity leave, and so on. I welcome that announcement in the spirit of collegiality. I very much welcome the Government's announcement in respect of the citizens' assembly.